Nani is set to enter a darker, more intense world with The Paradise, his second collaboration with filmmaker Srikanth Odela after their 2023 action drama Dasara. Set in the 1980s, the upcoming Telugu action drama revolves around a marginalised community battling oppression and discrimination, with Nani playing Jadal, a character who emerges as an unlikely leader. The film also stars Sonali Kulkarni, Mohan Babu and Raghav Juyal in pivotal roles.
The glimpses released so far have already hinted at a raw and violent side of Nani, but according to a source close to the film, audiences have only seen a fraction of what the actor has in store. The source exclusively tells us that Nani’s character has been designed as an intensely physical and uncompromising figure, with a backstory that is central to his transformation.
“Nani will be seen in one of the most unhinged avatars in the movie. The things that we have seen in the teaser is just the tip of the iceberg. Nani will be seen in a full action avatar with no mercy. The character has been designed as such,” the source reveals.
The source continues, “He has a solid backstory as well, where he is thrown into society as the son of a prostitute played by Sonali Kulkarni. He is living in one of the worst slums and being oppressed by big mafia landlords played by Mohan Babu and his son played by Raghav Juyal. They are highly marginalised in the compact space they are being provided, and there, Nani emerges as the saviour.”
The film’s production has also reportedly involved extensive world-building, including a large-scale slum set created for the story. Recent reports have noted that the set spans around 2.5 acres and was developed after studying slum communities across India.
The Paradise is produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri under Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Cinemas and marks Odela and Nani’s second collaboration after Dasara.
Also Read: Nani’s Aaya Sher Song Becomes Official Anthem for Hyderabad Cricket Team
